Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
group
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Franklin Rujano Alain, Graduate Student Zachary Friedrichs, Graduate Student Alexis A. Barrios Sr., Graduate Student James N. Hanover, Graduate Student
Lead Presenter's Name
Franklin Rujano Alain
Faculty Mentor Name
Sohel M. Imroz, Ph.D.
Abstract
In aviation, safety is the highest priority. Several recent aviation accidents and incidents have brought the mental health issue of the pilots to the forefront of aviation safety. To protect the safety of crew members and passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other civil aviation authorities across the globe strictly regulate the status of pilots’ physical and mental health. The purpose of this paper is three-folded. First, it describes the significance of pilots’ mental health and its impact on aviation safety. Second, it explores the state of pilots’ current mental health and the causes and side-effects of mental health-related issues. Third, it reviews relevant regulations currently in place and summarizes available resources established by the FAA and civil aviation authorities to support pilots’ mental health. The paper concludes by providing useful recommendations beneficial for the pilots, regulatory agencies, and general public interested in getting a better understanding of mental health-related issues in high-stress professions.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
No
Impact of Pilots’ Mental Health on Aviation Safety
In aviation, safety is the highest priority. Several recent aviation accidents and incidents have brought the mental health issue of the pilots to the forefront of aviation safety. To protect the safety of crew members and passengers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other civil aviation authorities across the globe strictly regulate the status of pilots’ physical and mental health. The purpose of this paper is three-folded. First, it describes the significance of pilots’ mental health and its impact on aviation safety. Second, it explores the state of pilots’ current mental health and the causes and side-effects of mental health-related issues. Third, it reviews relevant regulations currently in place and summarizes available resources established by the FAA and civil aviation authorities to support pilots’ mental health. The paper concludes by providing useful recommendations beneficial for the pilots, regulatory agencies, and general public interested in getting a better understanding of mental health-related issues in high-stress professions.